Grating



NOV. 2, 1943. BARRY AL 2,333,510

GRATING Filed Sept; 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTORS fikwawa J54??? (19/71 lws/w/ssz/v ATTORNEY 24 a. I ea L- 5- 4 NQV. 2, 1943. R, J BARRY ETAL 2,333,510

GRATING Filed Sept. 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [gr& ATTORNEY the invention; and

Patented Nov. 2, 1943 GRATIN G Richard J. Barry, New York, and Carl Rasmussen,

Flushing, N. Y., assignors to Walter Edward Irving, Glenbrook, Conn.

Application September 27, 1940, Serial No. 358,598

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sectional gratings of a type in which standardized grating sections or panels are arranged edge to edge and coupled together in succession to produce a continuous grating of a required area.

Important objects of the invention are to provide, for such a grating, improved coupling means designed to greatly facilitate assembly and connection of the panels and also greatly facilitate dismantling of the grating; and to provide such a grating with coupling means which remain permanently assembled with the individual panels, are designed and located for easy assembly of the panels and quick and easy connection and disconnection thereof and avoid the usual laborious and time-consuming bolting, riveting or welding operations and the diificulties of dismantling consequent to the usuaLcQnnectio'ns. Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The improved grating and itscoupling means were devised especially for the construction of a large airplane landing mat for military service in an airfield. The invention provides for quick construction of such a that at an emergency location, and for quick dismantling of themat and removal of its parts should its location be discovered by the enemy and rendered untenable. The invention also provides for quick and easy removal and replacement of damaged panels in any part of the mat without disturbing any of the other panels and their connections. While the invention is well suited for the purpose mentioned its utility is by no means confined to such service. ly in sectional grating structures for many other services.

In the drawings,

Fig. lis a plan view of several of the grating panels embodying the invention and showing them separated and partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 upon a larger scale and showing the panels coupled together to form a continuous grating;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail side elevation of a I portion of one of the panel edge bars with a pair of the coupling rings thereon in release or inoperative positions;

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of one of the coupling connections between adjoiningfpanels;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and '7 are plan views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively,

showing a modified form of It may be employed very advantageous- Fig. 8 is, a reduced-scale plan view of oneof the panels embodying said modified form of the invention. The form of the invention illustratedflin Figs. 1 and 2 Will be first described. For the'construction of a continuous grating a number of metal grating panels P are provided. These may all be of the same size, shape and construction to render them interchangeable, and a description of one panel will sufiice forall. The panel is of elongated, rectangular form. Dimensions of twelve and one-half feet length and between one and two feet Width have been found satisfactory for convenient handling of the panel. The panel is constructed of flat metal bars or strips arranged on edge anddefining the grating meshes. There area number of straight inner bars I arranged in parallel equally spaced relation and running longitudinally of the panel. ,At each longitudinal edge of the panel thereis a series of straight bars or strips 2 extending lengthwise of the panel parallel to the bars I andarran'ged in endwise opposed, spaced relation. The transverse spacing of the bars 2 from the bars I corresponds to the spacing-of the latter from each other. Each corner of one end of the panel is formed by abar or strip 3, bent into a right-angular form and disposed with one endthereof in opposed spaced relation to an adjacent one of the strips 2 and its other end in opposed spaced relation to a corresponding end of the companion strip 3 at the opposite corner. At the opposite end of the panel a bar or strip 4 has a straight medial portion, forming the edge of said panel end, and twoend" portions bentat right angles to said medialportion toformthe.

corners at this end of the panel. Saidbent ;portions have their ends in opposed, spaced relation to the near ends 'of adjacent ones of the strips 2 along the longitudinal side edges of the panel. v In the spaces between the strips 1 and between the outermost ones of said strips and the strips 2 there are bars or strips 5 bent into approximate zig-zag form and permanently secured at their bends to the respective bars I and 2 by rivets 6 or by welding. At one end of the panel the bars I and the adjacent ends of the strips'5 are welded to the bar 4. At theopposite end of the panel the ends of the outer ones of the bars I and the adjacent ends of the strips 5 are welded to the strips 3. Thereby all of "the bars or strips are rigidly and permanently united in a unitary panel structure- The central one of the bars I is shorter' than its companions andterminates short of that end of the panel having the corner strips 3.

Each of the side edge bars 2 is of suliicient length to bridge the space between two consecutive bends of the strips and extend materially beyond said bends to form coupling tongues 2. The legs of strips 3 and 4 which are in endwise opposition to strips 2 are of sufiicient length to extend from the panel corners inwardly materially beyond the outermost bonds of adjacent strips 5 and form coupling tongues 3 and 4* respectively. The legs of the strips 3 which run along one end of the panel extend from the panel corners inward materially beyond the ends of the bars which are welded "thereto and form coupling tongues 3 The opposed, spaced ends of these tongues define a gap 1. Simliarly the successive tongues 3 l and l define a series :of gaps 8 all of approximately the same Width and equally spaced along the longitudinal edges of the panel. The strips .2 form the outer sides of alternate meshes along the longitudinal edges of the panel and fully close said alternate .meshes. The strips v3 and 4 form the .outer sides of the meshes at the corners of the panel and fully close these meshes.

Along each longitudinal edge of the panel each of the short bars 2 vslidably bears upon its medial portion a pair of coupling elements .8. Similarly .each leg of the strips 3 .and .4 extending lengthwise .01 .the panel .bears ,acoupling element 1.0 for sliding between the adjacentcorner of the panel and the nearest bend of the adjacent strip '5. End strip 4 slidably bears a pair of coupling elements ll located at opposite sides of the cen- .tral one of the bars I. All of these coupling .slides are alike. Each is ,formed of a stout flat strip of metal bent into a rectangular loop or ring and with its opposed ends unsecured. The gauge of the metal forming the ring may be approximately that of the strips or bars iorming the panel and the ring is large enough to slidably receive two thicknesses of the strips.

,In the present instance the rings are yieldably held in their said release positions bysmall teats I2 struck up from an edge of the strips or vbars which bear the rings. The rings may be forced over these teats and slid to their operative posi- .tlons. Other suitable means may. howeyer, be employed to hold therings in release position. The width of the rings along thebars which .bear them and the width of the said gaps I and .8 along the edges of the 'panel are so correlated that a pair of the rings, when rather closely :arranged side byside, can ,freelyenter a corresponding gap in a companion panel.

In assembling the panels one panel is placed in such a longitudinally staggered relation to a companion panel as to dispose its pairs .of rings 9 in register with the gaps 8 along the edge of said companion panel and the panels are brought together edge to edge with the opposed bars 2 of the two panels in flatwise contact and with the rings 9 within the gaps 8. Then said rings are forced in opposite directions and slid over the tongues 2 of said companion panel to splice togather the panels side edge to side edge. Other panels may be similarly connected to the outer side edges of said connected panels to form a grating of the desired width. For end-to-end assembly of panels one panel is disposed with its pair of end rings II in register with the end gap 1 of a companion panel, and its end her 4 is brought into flatwise contact with the end bars 3 of the companion panel, the rings entering the Then the ringsare forced in' opposite directions and slid over the tongues 2 to splice together the panels end to end. A number of :panels may be connected togetherend to end in succession in this manner to construct a grating of the required length. If required, means may be provided to retain the rings in their splicing positions, or 9. chisel may be inserted under the projecting ends of the tongues to bend the latter .outward'for retention of the rings.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 tot! the panels are all of the same design, shape and size and each panel P has the longitudinal .bars or strips! and 5 arranged similarly to their arrangement in the first-described form of the invention and similarly joined together. Each panel also has the bars but along one longitudinal edge only .of the panel. Along the opposite longitudinal edgethere is-a bar or strip 1 3 extending the length of the panel and riveted to the outer bends of the adjacent strip 5. The end bars 3 and 4 are omitted in this form of the invention. Ateach endof the panel there are closed meshes alternating with open meshes and said closed meshes upon the two ends are in staggered relation across the panel. At one end of the panel the bar l3 and-the strip 5 secured thereto have their adjacent'ends welded together. as at M, to

which .form sides of said closed meshes each slidably bears a pair of the coupling rings 9. These bar portions are bent, as at 15, to offset them the thicknessjof the .bar material from the body of the bars. -At the opposite end of the panel the closed meshes are formed by Welding the ends of the outer ones of the bars -I to the adjacent ends of .the strips 5, as at 16. The portions of said bars I which form sides of said closed meshes are bent, as at H, to offset them the thickness of the bar material and each slidably bears a pair of the coupling rings 9. At this end of the panel the end portion of the central bar 1 forms a coupling tongue l and the end portion of the edge -bar"l3 forms a coupling tongue l3 Said bar laslidably bears a series of pairs of the coupling rings 9 in alternate closed meshes along the panel.

In assembling the panels P to form a continuous grating companion panels are arranged side .to side in longitudinally staggered relation to dispose pairs of the coupling rings 9 borne by the long edge bar I3 of one panel in register with the gaps 8 between the short edge bars 2 of a companion panel and bringing said panels together with the bar l3 flat against the bars 2 and" the coupling rings within said gaps. Then, the coupling rings of each pair are forced in opposite directions and slid over the tongues 2' to splice the panels together side to side. For joining companion panels end to end the tongues I, l' ancl l3 are placed in overlapping relation to the offset portions of the bars I and I3 which bear the coupling rings at the opposite ends of the twopanels and the said rings borne by one panel are'slid over the tongues borne by the other panel to splice the panels together end to, end. Provision is also made for splicing together three panels two of which are joinedend to end and one of which.

extends across the joint with its edge strip l3 against the bars 2 of both said joined'panels. For that purpose one of the pair of coupling rings 9 borne by the adjacent end portion of the strip I3, of one of the end to endpanels, is made to form a larger loop designated 9 This loop is of a size to receive both a side tongue 2 'of the panel which extends across the said joint and the end tongue I3 of one of the end to end panels. -This splicing of the three panels is shown at l8 in Fig. '7. Each panel may be provided with one' of these large rings to make a three-panel splice wherever three panels come together in the assembly. 7 i

It will be seen that the panels and coupling means in both forms of the invention are designed for convenient and rapid assembly and coupling of the panels. The coupling tongues and rings of each panel are permanently borne by the panel and are in positions for quick connection with the coupling means of other panels. The panels and their coupling means are also designed for convenient and rapid dismantling of the grating or for removal and replacement of a damaged panel located in any position in the length or width of, the assembled grating. Any one of the panels may be uncoupled by merely driving to their release positions the couplingrings which hold the panel to the adjoining panels. Then the uncoupled panel may be freely lifted from the assembly.

In addition to the advantages mentioned the coupling means have a desired strength and durability and at the same time affordadesired yield in the connection between the panels to avoid breaking strain under heavy trafiic and accommodate the grating to unevenness of the ground upon which it is laid. The sliding fit of the coupling rings upon the bars and tongues-which they embrace afiords clearance for some fiexure be-' tween the panels and, in addition to-that, the split couplin rings can spring slightly under a heavy weight upon the grating and avoid breaking strain.

Features of the invention disclosed in this application but not claimed are claimed in our co-pending application Serial No. 372,706, filed January 2, 1941, which copending application is a division of the present application.

What we claim is:

1. A grating section comprising an elongated panel, a series of strips extending along each longitudinal edge of said panel in endwise opposed spaced relation, opposed end portions of adjacent strips forming pairs of endwise opposed spaced coupling tongues, and intermediate portions of said strips forming the outer sides of grating meshes of the panel, and a pair of coupling slides borne by the intermediate portion of each strip and each of the slides being in the form of a loop to embrace the strip and also embrace a coupling tongue upon a companion panel to couple the panels together edge to edge, said slides being slidable upon said intermediate portions of the strips between release and coupling positions and portions of the first-mentioned panel forming other sides of said meshes confining the slides against sliding off the strips.

2. A grating section according to claim 1 and including a strip extending continuously along one end edge of the first-mentioned panel and 3. A grating section comprising a panel, a 'series of strips extending along an edge of said panel in endwise opposed spaced relation, opposed end portions of adjacent strips forming pairs of endwise opposed spaced coupling tongues and intermediate portions of said strips forming the outer sides of grating meshes of the panel, and a pair of coupling slides borne'by the intermediate portion of each strip and each of the slides formed to embrace the strip and also embrace a coupling tongue upon acompanion panel to couple thepanels together edge to edge, said slides being slidable'upon' said intermediate portions of the strips away from each other to coupling positions and toward each other to release positions free from the tongues and portions of the first-mentioned panel forming other sides of said meshes confining the slides against sliding ofi the strips.

4. A grating section according to claim 3 and including slide-retaining means to releasably retain the slides borne by each of said strips of the. first-mentioned panel in their release positions adjacent to each other on a longitudinal central portion of the strip.

5. A trafiic-bearing sectional grating including a grating panel comprising a structure forming grating meshes and a series of strips extending along an edge of the panel in endwise opposed spaced relation, opposed end portions of adjacent strips forming pairs of endwise opposed spaced coupling tongues and intermediate portions of the strips forming the outer sides of-grating meshes of the panel, a companion panel arranged; in edgewise opposition to said edge of the first panel to form with the first panel a'continuous' grating and comprising a structure forming grating meshes, guide means borne by and rigid with the edge of said companion panel and extending along the edge thereof opposed to the first panel, and pairs of coupling slides slidably borne by said guide means and anchored to the latter against transverse separation therefrom and each engaging one of said tongues and formed to anchor the tongue against transverse separation from said guide means and thereby hold the panels coupled together, the slides of each pair being slidable along the guide means toward each other to release position free from a pair of the opposed tongues for uncoupling the panels, and the space between the opposed tongues exceeding the combined width of the pair of slides to permit the latter to pass through, said space, for separation of the panels.

6. A traffic-bearing sectional grating including a. grating panel comprising a structure forming grating meshes and including a fixed strip extending along an edge of the panel and forming the outer side of a closed mesh at said edge, a companion grating panel comprising a structure forming grating meshes and arranged in edgewise opposition to said edge of the first panel to form with thefirst panel a continuous gratingand having a fixed, coupling tongue extending along the panel edge opposed to said edge strip of the first panel and alongside said edge strip of the first panel, and a coupling slide borne by and anchored to said strip against transverse separation therefrom and engaging said tongue and formed to hold the latter against transverse separation from the strip and confined for slidmg along the strip, within the limits of said closed mesh, between a coupling position and arelease position free from the tongue, for coupling and uncoupling the panels.

'1. A sectional gratingaccording to claim 6, characterized in that a pair of coupling slides according to the one defined in said claim are similarly borne by the said strip of the first-mentioned panel, and the companion panel bears a pair of coupling tongues according to the one defined in said claim and arranged in endwise opposed spaced relation and each tongue being ongaged by one of said slides, the slides are slid able, within the limits of the said closed mesh,

away from each other to coupling positions and.

toward each other to release position free from the tongue, for coupling and uncoupling the panels respectively, and the combined width of the slides and the space between the tongues. are correlated to permit the slides to pass through said space, for separation of the panels.

8..A sectional grating according to claim 6, characterized in that a pair of coupling slides according to the one defined in said claim are similarly borne by the said strip of the first-mentioned panel, and the companion panel bears a pair of coupling tongues according to the one defined in said claim and arranged in endwise opposed spaced relation and each tongue being engaged by one of said slides, the slides are slidable, within the limits of the said closed mesh, away from each other to coupling positions and toward each other to release position free from the tongue, for coupling anduncoupling the panels respectively, the combined width of the slides and the space between the tongues are correlated to permit the slides to pass through said space for separation of the panels, and there are retaining means borne by said strip to releasably hold the slides in release position.

9. A sectional grating including a grating panel comprising a structure forming grating meshes and including-a strip forming a side of a closed meslr'at an edge of the panel, acompanion gratpanel comprising a structure forming grating meshes and arranged edge. to edge with said first panel toform therewith a continuous grating and; having a fixed coupling'tongue arranged alongside said strip of the first panel, and a. couplingslide borne by and anchored to said strip against, transverse separation therefrom and engaging said tongue. and formed to hold the latter against: transverse separation. from the strip and confined for sliding along; the strip, within. the limits of said closed mesh, between a coupling position and a release. position free from the tongue, for coupling and uncoupling the panels.

10. A grating according to claim 9, and including means borne by the first-mentioned. panel: to releasablyretain the said, coupling slide in its release position..

11. A grating according to claim 9 andincludring means integral with the said strip of the first-mentioned panel to releasablyretain the said coupling slide in its release position.

12- A grating according to claim 9, characterized in that the said coupling slide comprises a loop formed to embrace both said strip and said coupling tongue.

13. A grating according to claim 9 characterized in that the said coupling slide. comprises a. loop formed toembrace both said strip and said coupling tongue, the, said. strip. has. a re taining teat integrally formed on a longitudinal edge thereof and over which said loop is ridable in. its shift between coupling and. releasev positions, and the loop is. engageable. with. said teat to releasably hold the slide in its. release position.

14. A grating according to. claim 9, characterized in that the first-mentioned panel includes, at spaced points along the said edge thereof a plurality of fixed strips according to the. one claimed in said claim and av coupling slide, according to the one claimed in said claim, borne by each of said strips, the strips form sides of closed meshes of the panel, alternating With open meshes along said edge, and the companion panel has a plurality of fixed coupling tongues according to the one claimed in said claim and alongside said strips respectively and coupled thereto respectively by said slides;

RICHARD J. BARRY. I CARL RAsMossEN. 

